RFP for Non-Profit Merger, Restructuring, and Program Evaluation

Lenoir County, North Carolina, in partnership with the City of Kinston, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified consultant to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating four local nonprofit organizations—the Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority, Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, Kinston Community Council for the Arts, and Downtown Kinston Revitalization—under a single nonprofit umbrella structure. The consultant will conduct comprehensive stakeholder engagement, organizational assessment, feasibility analysis, and financial evaluation to determine whether consolidation could increase operational efficiency, reduce administrative duplication, and strengthen financial sustainability while preserving each organization's distinct mission and legal restrictions. Key deliverables include a project work plan, stakeholder engagement summary, organizational assessment findings, feasibility analysis with alternative scenarios, financial analysis, recommended governance and staffing structures, and a final report with executive summary and presentation to organizational leadership and governing bodies. The consultant must complete all work within approximately six to eight months following execution of the professional services agreement. Proposals are due by 5:00 pm on March 25, 2026, and will be evaluated based on demonstrated experience with relevant projects (40%), project understanding and proposed approach (30%), reasonableness of cost proposal and rate structure (20%), and references (10%). Required qualifications include successful completion of similar nonprofit restructuring projects, and proposers must submit detailed cost proposals with hourly rates and estimated hours, identification of key personnel, at least three references from recent clients, and a conflicts of interest disclosure statement. Selection is subject to approval by both the City of Kinston City Council and the Lenoir County Board of County Commissioners.

The RFP document does not identify any specific set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendors, nor does it reference any existing infrastructure or technology requiring integration. No specific award value or budget range is listed in the available procurement materials. Proposals should be submitted in hard copy to the Lenoir County Administration, with electronic copies sent to adam.short@lenoircountync.gov. All proposals are considered public records under North Carolina law, and the county reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, negotiate with the selected firm, or issue a modified RFP. Organizations interested in responding should review the complete RFP document for any additional submission requirements or specifications not detailed in this summary.